Introduction to the Feud
Country star Zach Bryan has escalated his feud with singer John Moreland by removing Moreland’s feature from his song "Memphis; The Blues" on streaming services. Bryan announced that he would soon release a new version of the song. The removal of the song from streaming services seemed to have occurred on Friday.
The Start of the Feud
The feud between Bryan and Moreland started when Moreland questioned Bryan’s payday of $350 million after the country star sold his publishing catalog and signed a new deal with Warner Records. Moreland took to Instagram to express his thoughts, saying "$350 is a lot of money to pay for the damn off-fire version from me, they have a great day." Bryan, who is one of the largest country stars in the industry, has been making waves in the country music business since he broke through with Warner Records in Los Angeles, rather than with a traditional label in Nashville.
Background on the Artists
Bryan has been a game-changer in the country music scene, and his decision to sign with Warner Records has inspired a significant shift in the industry. Moreland, on the other hand, has built a steady career since releasing his first album, "Endless October Heaven," in 2008. Bryan had previously shared a screenshot of Moreland’s post on his own Instagram, stating that Moreland was an artist he had "always respected and supported."
The Removal of the Song
Bryan took to social media to explain the reason behind removing Moreland’s feature from his song. "I’m not trying to be dramatic, but refuse to have someone with me in my records. Replace Memphis to the blues," Bryan wrote. "If it goes down a bit, it only knows that this is the reason. No hard feelings! Confused like shit, pay attention to Tulsans!" Removing a feature from an album is not uncommon, but it is a notable move that reflects the temporary nature of music in the streaming era.
Moreland’s Response
Moreland responded to Bryan’s decision by posting a video on his Instagram story, in which he recalled being asked to work on Bryan’s album, "The Great American Bar Scene." Moreland stated that he had met Bryan several times and said, "I don’t like this motherfucker." He also claimed that he had heard Bryan make "borderline jokes" on more than one occasion and accused Bryan of bringing a 19-year-old girl to a bar.
The Feud Continues
Moreland continued to express his dislike for Bryan, saying, "If I asked today to be on the album, I wouldn’t do it. I don’t want to be on an album with a guy who is a tail head for my wife and friends every time I see him." He also stated that he thought it was "a lot cooler to start a Zach Bryan album than to be on a Zach Bryan album." The feud between Bryan and Moreland continues to escalate, with both artists exchanging blows on social media.
